AMD Renames Legacy Ryzen CPUs, Discord Malware Threat, Microsoft Copilot Lawsuit, Tesla Mad Max Probe, and Fungal Memory Chip Breakthrough

Introduction

Tech headlines this week read like a roller‑coaster of rebranding, security scares, legal battles, and surprising scientific advances. AMD has a fresh naming scheme for older processors, Discord users are targeted by a new malware variant, Microsoft faces an Australian consumer‑law lawsuit over its Copilot pricing, the NHTSA opens an investigation into Tesla’s high‑speed “Mad Max” mode, and researchers demonstrate that mushroom tissue can act as a biodegradable memory chip. Below is a concise roundup of these stories and what they mean for consumers and the industry.

AMD’s Ryzen Rebranding

AMD announced a reshuffle of its laptop processor lineup:

• Zen 2 (Mendocino) chips are now marketed as the Ryzen 10 series.
• Zen 3+ (Rembrandt) chips have been renamed the Ryzen 100 series.

The hardware remains unchanged—same core counts, clock speeds, and performance metrics—but the new labels aim to simplify the product hierarchy for buyers. While the move may reduce confusion in the long run, it also risks misleading customers who might assume they are getting a brand‑new architecture rather than a rebadged model. Intel has employed a similar strategy recently, renaming the Core i5‑10400 as the Core i5‑110.

Discord Data Harvesting Campaign

Security firm NetScope uncovered a widespread campaign that leverages a fork of the open‑source red‑team tool Red Tiger. Attackers disguise the malware as game mods, cheat utilities, or other seemingly harmless downloads within gaming communities.

Key capabilities of the malware include:

• Extraction of browser credentials, Discord tokens, and cryptocurrency wallet information.
• Transmission of stolen data to remote servers via webhooks.
• Use of Discord‑specific hooks that enable full account takeover.

Victims have reported loss of Nitro subscriptions and compromised accounts. Clearfish researchers linked many infections to phishing links shared across Discord servers, underscoring the danger of seemingly free in‑game boosts.

Microsoft Copilot Billing Lawsuit in Australia

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft, alleging that the company misled roughly 2.7 million customers about the cost of its AI‑assisted Copilot feature. According to the ACCC:

• Copilot was silently bundled into Microsoft 365 subscriptions, presented as an unavoidable upgrade.
• A cheaper, non‑AI version of the service existed but was hidden deep within the cancellation flow, effectively inaccessible to most users.

Potential penalties could reach US $33 million. The case highlights growing scrutiny over how software providers disclose AI‑related pricing and the importance of transparent billing practices.

Tesla’s “Mad Max” Driving Mode Under Investigation

Tesla’s newly released Mad Max automated‑driving mode has attracted the attention of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Early reports from owners suggest the mode:

• Allows higher top speeds.
• Executes more aggressive lane changes.

The NHTSA has opened a formal probe and reminded drivers that they remain fully responsible for vehicle operation, even when advanced driver‑assistance features are active. The naming—evoking the dystopian, high‑speed character from Mad Max—has raised eyebrows among regulators and safety advocates.

Microsoft’s OpenAI Investment Losses

Microsoft’s Q1 financial filings reveal US $4.7 billion in losses tied to its stake in OpenAI, listed under a vague “Other” expense line. The company did not disclose:

• The exact size of its investment in OpenAI.
• OpenAI’s own financial performance.
• Whether the “Other” line represents a related‑party transaction.

Analysts warn that the lack of transparency could complicate investor assessments of Microsoft’s AI strategy and overall profitability when the full earnings report is released.

Fungal Memory Chips: A Sustainable Computing Prospect

Researchers at Ohio State University have demonstrated that engineered mushroom tissue—specifically from shiitake and button mushrooms—can function as living memory chips. These fungal‑based components:

• Store and switch electrical signals, acting as a rudimentary form of RAM.
• Require no rare metals, offering a greener alternative to silicon.
• Are biodegradable, reducing electronic waste.

While still far from commercial deployment, the technology could enable low‑power or specialized computing devices that are both environmentally friendly and cost‑effective.

Conclusion

This week’s tech news underscores a mix of strategic branding, cybersecurity challenges, regulatory scrutiny, and innovative research. AMD’s rebadging may simplify product lines but demands clear communication to avoid consumer confusion. The Discord malware campaign reminds users to verify the source of any game‑related download. Microsoft’s legal entanglements over Copilot pricing and opaque OpenAI disclosures highlight the growing importance of transparency in the AI era. Tesla’s aggressive driving mode faces safety oversight, and the pioneering work on fungal memory chips opens a promising path toward sustainable hardware.

Staying informed about these developments helps professionals, enthusiasts, and everyday users navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape.